Improved scaffold

ABSTRACT

A scaffold capable of being erected for use on a level surface or on multi-level surfaces (such as a staircase) and constructed from three components, which each advantageously use U-shaped sides. Interconnection of the components, preparatory to erection of the scaffold, is achieved by orienting the U shapes in facing relation and obtaining a locking accommodation of one within the other. In unassembled condition, two of the components function as ladders.

United States Patent Gleisen Jan. 1, 1974 1 IMPROVED SCAFFOLD 3,229,824 1/1966 DeCaccia 211/182 [76] inventor: Robert K. Gleisen, 825 Calalpa 3,005,513 10/1961 Larson 182/228 Ave., Teaneck, NJ. 07666 Primary ExaminerRe1naldo P. Machado [22] F1led: Aug. 21, 1972 Atmmey Bauer & Amer [52] US. Cl 182/119, 182/179, 182/222 [51] Int. Cl E04g H30 [58] Field of Search 182/119, 118, 222, 182/223, 179, 178, l20;211/l82, 177; 108/111 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,566,990 3/1971 Fredricks 182/119 2,892,661 6/1959 French 182/119 3,017,037 1/1962 McDonnell... 211/182 3,305,046 2/1967 Schar 182/222 5 7 ABSTRACT A scaffold capable of being erected for use on a level surface or on multi-level surfaces (such as a staircase) and constructed from three components, which each advantageously use U-shaped sides. Interconnection of the components, preparatory to erection of the scaffold, is achieved by orienting the U shapes in facing relation and obtaining a locking accommodation of one within the other. in unassembled condition, two of the components function as ladders.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures IMPROVED SCAFFOLI) The present invention relates generally to an improved scaffold construction, and more particularly to improved assembly units which, when assembled, effectively function as a versatile scaffold and otherwise serve as ladders and the like.

As generally understood, it is advantageous that the vertical supports for a horizontally oriented scaffold platform be comprised of ladders because of the utility of the ladders separate and apart from the scaffold construction. This advantageous use of these ladders, however, has not been fully realized because of the inability to interconnect the ladder supports and platform in a sufficiently rigid scaffold construction without complicated and expensive connecting structure. Also, the connecting structure invariably remains on the ladder and thus interferes with the use thereof.

Prior art only describes complex and expensive specially designed scaffolds of the type which can be erected for use either on level surfaces or on multi-level surfaces such as slopes, staircases, et cetera. These normally involve special expensive adjustment adapters which permit raising or lowering one or both sets of legs of the scaffold in order to accommodate to different levels. The present invention, in contrast, being constructed from conventional ladder shapes, can be assembled in approximately 30 seconds in any of its several use configurations. Disassembly for storage or portability is equally quick and convenient. No tools are required for either assembling or disassembling.

It is also an object of this invention to provide home owners, interior decorators, and the like with a much more versatile vantage point from which to work than is provided by a conventional stepladder, commonly used for such purposes. The weight of the scaffold, according to the present invention, is approximately the same as that of a conventional 6 foot magnesium or aluminum stepladder, while providing much more freedom of movement for the user, by reason of the work platform instead of a single step on a ladder, for the common practice of painting or papering walls, ceilings, plastering, and for general repairs both inside and outside of buildings. The scaffold of the present invention can also, like a stepladder, be readily moved from one area to another in its assembled form or, as noted above, can be readily disassembled for convenience in moving longer distances or for storage.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a lightweight, easily portable, easily assembled and relatively inexpensive scaffold for domestic or industrial use which has a wide range of use configurations. For example, it can be assembled to provide a level working platform at any of three different heights from a level surface. It also can be erected to provide a level working surface at either of two elevations when one leg or support of the scaffold is on one stair of a staircase and the other leg is on a different stair of the staircase.

An improved scafiold demonstrating objects and advantages of the present invention employs a U-shaped channel which, as a first assembly unit, is cut to length and operatively arranged in inwardly facing relation and joined, in that relation, by ladder rungs to thereby form a pair of ladders to serve as scaffold vertical supports. As a second assembly unit, lengths of said U- shape are connected in an outwardly facing relation in the fabrication of a scaffold platform. The placement of the platform in straddling relation between the vertical supports, incident to the erection of the scaffold construction, results in a locking, interfitting connection of the U-shapes.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the component parts of the improved scaffold hereof in disassembled condition;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view illustrating positions of movement of the scaffold platform during the connection thereof with its support, said positions of movement being illustrated in full line and phantom line perspective;

FIG. 3 is an isolated perspective view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating the interconnection between one of the vertical scaffold supports and an end of said scaffold platform; and

FIGS. 4 and S are side elevational views illustrating the scaffold on a level support surface and on multilevel support surfaces, respectively.

The improved scaffold hereof, generally designated 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 can be readily assembled for use of a single-level support surface 12 (FIG. 4) or on multi-level support surfaces (FIG. 5) such as steps 14, 16 of a conventional stairs 18. Either of the aforesaid constructions, as well as the wide range of variations thereof, are produced using three building components, as shown in FIG. 1. The components comprise a pair of ladder-type scaffold supports, generally designated 20 and 22, which are essentially similar, except for a difference in height, and as a third component, a similar ladder-type construction 24.

In its disassembled condition, as may be generally appreciated from FIG. 1, each scaffold support 20, 22 can also be readily used as a ladder, each of these components having opposite side members, generally designated 26 and 28, being appropriately connected in spaced-apart relation by transversely oriented spacedapart rungs, individually and collectively designated 30. Also, in contemplation of the multi-level scaffold construction 10 of FIG. 5, the spacing of the rungs 30 on which the scaffold platform 24 is supported is appropriate to accommodate the conventional rise of seven inches per step of the conventional stairs 18, so that with the supports 20 and 22 on the steps 14 and 16, as illustrated, there are a cooperating pair of rungs 30 in a horizontal plane to correspondingly horizontally support the scaffold platform 24.

Another aspect of the present invention is that each scaffold building component 20, 22 is readily fabricated from two construction materials, which each are economically produced by mass production methods and thereby contribute to the economical cost of the scaffold l0. Specifically, one construction material is a pipe tube or rod from which the rungs 30 are fabricated, each discreet rung being appropriately cut to size from a comparatively long length thereof. In the scaffold l0 hereof, both the scaffold supports 20, 22 and the scaffold platform 24 have rungs 30, but in the supports these rungs are slightly longer than they are in the platform. This difference in the length of the rungs 30 in their respective scaffold building components permits the narrower platform 24 to fit between the sides 26 and 28 of the vertical supports and 22 during the supporting interconnection of the platform 24 in its straddling relation between the vertical supports 20 and 22.

The other construction material is an extruded channel or otherwise appropriately fabricated U-shaped member, preferably of alumimum, plastic or other such material, which, as a result of its cross sectional shape, presents a pair of parallel-extending legs 32 and 34 and a somewhat wider connecting wall 36, all as is perhaps best illustrated in the enlarged scale illustration of FIG. 3.

In accordance with the present invention, the construction of each support 20 and 22 contemplates operatively arranging the U-shaped sides 26 and 28 in inwardly facing relation, i.e. orienting the openings of these U-shapes in facing relation, and then maintaining this inwardly facing relation by connecting the transverse members or rungs 30 between the side members 26 and 28 in a typical ladder construction.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the scaffold platform 24 is also constructed using a U-shaped channel 26 or 28, but with one significant difference. In the construction of the platform 24, the channel or sides 26 and 28 are operatively arranged in outwardly facing relation, i.e. with the openings of the U-shapes facing away from each other, and then the construction is completed by the spaced, transversely oriented, slightly narrower rungs 30 appropriately connected between the sides 26 and 28. In the illustrated embodiment, platform 24 includes a plywood panel 38 which is appropriately secured, as by bolts or screws, in a supported position upon the rungs 30 between the facing walls 36 of the sides 26 and 28.

The connection of the platform 24 in straddling relation between the supports 20 and 22 can be best appreciated by progressive examination of FIGS. 2 and 3. Specifically, the spacing between adjacent rungs 30 in the supports 20 and 22 is of a sufficient extent so that the opposite ends of the platform 24 can be projected angularly therebetween, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Spaced from the end of the platform side members 26 and 28 is an aligned pair of mounting notches 40 which achieve two purposes. First, the location of the notches 40 delineates end sections 42 in each of the four corners of the platform 24, each end section 42 being approximately the same size as the spacing between the laterally extending legs 32 and 34 so that a wedge fit of each section 42 between the legs 32 and 34 is possible. Second, the notches 40 align with the leg 34, which leg when projected within the notches 40, enables an interfitting together of the two oppositely facing U-shapes which occupy the side positions on the respective supports 20, 22 and platform 24.

Returning to FIG. 2, it should be readily apparent that from its starting angular position, illustrated in full line therein, the platform 24 is adapted to be urged through an angular traverse 44 into a horizontally oriented position, illustrated in phantom perspective, in which, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the legs 34 in each of the four corners of the platform 24 are projected into the aligned notches 40. Also, the end sections 42 are wedged in place between the legs 32 and 34 and, in addition, occupy a supported position on a rung 30 of the vertical support.

From the foregoing, it should be readily appreciated that automatically upon movement 44 of the platform 24 onto a cooperating pair of supporting rungs 30 in a selected horizontal plane of the vertical supports 20 and 22, there is a locking of the four end sections 41 within the cooperating U-shaped sides 26, 28 of the supports 20, 22. In practice, it has been found that the wedged fit of an end section 42 provides surface contact between the surfaces bounding the mounting notches 40 and leg 34, and between the end surfaces 46 and the other leg 32, all to the end of providing a rigid construction in which the intersecting side members of the supports 20, 22 and platform 24 extend at substantially right angles to each other, and there is an optimum minimum tendency of the construction to become askew. Also, although the scaffold construction 10 is, as just noted, comparatively stable, without any connecting bolts or screws or the like, it is nevertheless easy to disassemble into its separate assembly components, such as the ladders 20 and 22, having utility outside of the scaffold construction. To achieve this disassembly, it is necessary only to pivot one side of the platform 24 through reverse unlocking movement 44 and, once the platform is in its angular position, to remove the same from between the adjacent rungs 30.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

I claim:

l. A construction providing a combination ladder and scaffold support and a scaffold platform, said construction comprising a first assembly unit of uniform U-shaped side members operatively arranged in inwardly facing relation, and transverse members connected between two said side members to maintain said inwardly facing relation thereof and to serve as ladder rungs, and a second assembly unit of said U-shaped side members operatively arranged in outwardly facing relation, transverse members connected between two said side members to maintain said outwardly facing relation thereof and to serve as scaffold platform supports, and mounting notches at the opposite ends of said side members of one said second assembly unit for arranging the same in straddling relation between two spaced apart first assembly units, each said first assembly unit having plural transverse members in spaced vertical locations therealong effective to support the end of said second assembly unit placed thereon in straddling relation between said first assembly units at any selected elevation provided by said spaced locations of said traverse members, and said spaced vertical locations of adjacent transverse members each being of an extent which accommodates said second assembly unit therebetween in an angular orientation, whereby following the positioning of said angularly oriented second assembly unit therebetween the same is adapted to be urged through an angular traverse into a horizontalorientation causing the locking engagement of said mounting notches of said second assembly unit about said side horizontal orientation causing the locking engagement of said members of said vertically oriented first assembly units.

3. The combination scaffold and ladder construction as defined in claim 2, wherein said mounting notches of said second assembly unit are in an aligned relation in the parallel-extending legs of said U-shaped side members thereof, whereby said aligned notches accommodate a cooperating one of said inwardly extending legs of said first assembly unit therein preparatory to the interconnection of said first and second assembly units.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. ,7 2,498 Dated January 1, 1974 Inventor(s) ROBERT K. GLEISEN It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, Lines 66, 67 In the Claims:

Delete: "horizontal orientation causing the locking engagement of said" Signed and sealed this 2nd day of July 1974.

Attesting Officer I Commissioner of Patents FORM P0405) (10459 USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 W ".5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1959 0-36 6-334 

1. A construction providing a combination ladder and scaffold support and a scaffold platform, said construction comprising a first assembly unit of uniform U-shaped side members operatively arranged in inwardly facing relation, and transverse members connected between two said side members to maintain said inwardly facing relation thereof and to serve as ladder rungs, and a second assembly unit of said U-shaped side members operatively arranged in outwardly facing relation, transverse members connected between two said side members to maintain said outwardly facing relation thereof and to serve as scaffold platform supports, and mounting notches at the opposite ends of said side members of one said second assembly unit for arranging the same in straddling relation between two spaced apart first assembly units, each said first assembly unit having plural transverse members in spaced vertical locations therealong effective to support the end of said second assembly unit placed thereon in straddling relation between said first assembly units at any selected elevation provided by said spaced locations of said traverse members, and said spaced vertical locations of adjacent transverse members each being of an extent which accommodates said second assembly unit therebetween in an angular orientation, whereby following the positioning of said angularly oriented second assembly unit therebetween the same is adapted to be urged through an angular traverse into a horizontal orientation causing the locking engagement of said mounting notches of said second assembly unit about said side horizontal orientation causing the locking engagement of said members of said vertically oriented first assembly units.
 2. The combination scaffold and ladder construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting notches of said second assembly unit are so located as to delineate end sections thereon which are accommodated within said U-shape of said side members of said first assembly units incident to said angular traverse of said second assembly unit and the spacing between the parallel-extending legs of said U-shapes and the length of said delineated end sections are substantially equal to thereby contribute to a wedging fit of said end sections within said parallel-extending legs.
 3. The combination scaffold and ladder construction as defined in claim 2, wherein said mounting notches of said second assembly unit are in an aligned relation in the parallel-extending legs of said U-shaped side members thereof, whereby said aligned notches accommodate a cooperating one of said inwardly extending legs of said first assembly unit therein preparatory to the interconnection of said first and second assembly units. 